Peter B. Kelly

Teaching Statement

Peter Kelly teaches S543, “Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition,” with David Dodson. This course, taught for the first time in 2009-2010, draws on other courses taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business about forming and managing new enterprises. Peter is teaching at Stanford University for the second time and has been a regular guest in “Formation of New Ventures” (S353), “Managing Growing Enterprises” (S355), and “Building and Maintaining Professional Sales Organizations” (S551). His teaching approach is intended to be practical, demanding yet enjoyable, and grounded in rigorous thought. Peter draws from his experience for 15 years as CEO of a healthcare services company that grew from 170 to 1,400 employees and from the 20 acquisitions completed by his teams.

Bio

Mr. Kelly is a Board Director of ResponseLink, LLC, eCompliance LLC, AquaVita Holdings, Krueger-Gilbert Health Physics, Inc., and NorthStar Anesthesia.  He is the former Chief Financial Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, from 1993 to 2010, of Pacific Pulmonary Services (“PPS”), a healthcare provider of home respiratory services acquired in 1993 by the search fund that Kelly co-founded.  Since 2008 PPS has been a subsidiary of a multinational company. 

Mr. Kelly is a former Board Director of PPS, Guardian Home Care Holdings, Inc., Medical Equipment Distributors, Inc., The Governance Institute Inc., the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, and the American Association for Homecare.  He also teaches a course at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain and is an investor in private companies and active search funds.  Prior work experience includes TA Associates, a risk capital firm where he originated investments in software and communication companies. 

Mr. Kelly was an undergraduate student at Stanford, where he received both a Bachelor of Arts in Science, Technology and Social Theory and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1985.  After working in venture capital, he returned to Stanford and earned an MBA from the Graduate School of Business.  He lives in Marin County, California, with his wife and their two children.

Teaching

Degree Courses

2018-19

STRAMGT 355: Managing Growing Enterprises

This course is offered for students who, in the near term, aspire to the management and full or partial ownership of a new or newly-acquired business. The seminar, which is limited to 45 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

STRAMGT 543: Entrepreneurial Acquisition

For aspiring entrepreneurs who don''t have a burning idea or desire to start a company from scratch, acquiring a small business can provide a direct route to running and growing a business. This class will explore entrepreneurial acquisition (EA...

STRAMGT 549: Search Fund Garage

Search Fund Garage is an intensive hands-on, project-based course, in which students will explore the world of entrepreneurial acquisition. Students will learn from their instructors, their peers, current searchers, CEOs who have acquired a...

2017-18

STRAMGT 355: Managing Growing Enterprises

This course is offered for students who, in the near term, aspire to the management and full or partial ownership of a new or newly-acquired business. The seminar, which is limited to 45 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

STRAMGT 543: Entrepreneurial Acquisition

For aspiring entrepreneurs who don''t have a burning idea or desire to start a company from scratch, acquiring a small business can provide a direct route to running and growing a business. This class will explore entrepreneurial acquisition (EA...

2016-17

STRAMGT 355: Managing Growing Enterprises

This course is offered for students who, in the near term, aspire to the management and full or partial ownership of a new or newly-acquired business. The seminar, which is limited to 45 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

STRAMGT 543: Entrepreneurial Acquisition

For aspiring entrepreneurs who don''t have a burning idea or desire to start a company from scratch, acquiring a small business can provide a direct route to running and growing a business. This class will explore entrepreneurial acquisition (EA...